Thomas e



LUBRIGATOR.

Patented Oct. 9, 1883.

. INVENTOE BY U ` A ORNBYS 5o the dUivrri-:D STATES PATENT Ormea.

'THOMAS FREEMAN, OF `CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF TVO-THIRDS TO CHARLES H. R. BIESTER AND JAMES S. TOPPAN, OF SAME PLACE.'

LUBRlCATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming partvof Letters Patent-No. 286,289, dated October 9, 1883.

Application filed May 29, 1883. (No model.)

To al?, whom t may concern,.-

V Be it known that I, THoMAs R. FREEMAN, of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain lnew and useful Improvements in Lubricators, of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description, that will enable others to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of t-his specification.

This invention relates to that class of lubricators or oil-cups that are attached directly to the steam-chest for the purpose of lubricating the interior working parts of a steam-engine, and is designed more especially for use in connect-ion with vlocomotive-engines, the obj eet being to provide a device of this nature that will be automatic and positive in operation, and at the same time prevent water or steam from gaining access to the oil chamber or reservoir, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Figure l is a vertical section of a lubricating apparatus embodying my improved features, and Fig. 2 an elevation of the same.

Referring to the drawings, A represents an oil-cup of a cylindrical form, which may be of any desired dimensions. The upper end or head, A', of the cup forming the oil-reservoir may have a4 threaded connection with the cylindrical body, or may be cast integral therewith. This end of the cup is closed by means of the screw-'plug A2, which is provided with the minute orifice a, for the admission of air on the top 'of the oil, for the purpose of facilitating the process of feeding the same. The oil is Supplied to the cup by removing the screw-plug. The lower head, B, is screw-threaded, so as to engage with the eorrespondingly-threaded lower end of the cylindrical inclosing-walls. This lower head is provided with the downward-projecting part B and the stand Bi, which projects upward on the interior of the cup, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The stand B2 is provided with `cavities a a', for the passage of the oil on its way to the parts to be lubricated. These cavities 'are covered with the wire-gauze screen e2, which prevents the passage oi any sediment or dirt that maybe in the oil. The lower end of downward-projecting part B is threaded for the engagement of the correspondii'iglythreaded upper end of thestem B3, which forms a continuation of the saine. The interior of these parts is chambered for the receptionoi' `the pistons C C', connected by the rod C, which is common to both pistons, and imparts a simultaneous movement thereto. The stand B2 is provided with the oil-ports c3 a, and the projecting part B with similar ports, b b', which 1 are alternately opened and closed by the movement of the pistons, thereby causing an intermittent action of the apparatus.

C3 is a tubular stud, adapted to screw into the steam-chest or other part of the engine, for the purpose of attaching the cup by a threaded connection formed on the exterior of the stud and the interior of the stem, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. The upper end of the stud is provided with the enlarged chamber a, for the reception of the valve b2, which is adapted to seat in the contracted passage leading into the stem attached to the cup. The valve b2 is of a cylindrical form, and may be made hollow a part oi14 the way upward from the lower end, in order to present a larger area to Y.

the action of the steam, the upper end of the valve being of a conical shape, in order to insure its seating. The lower end of this valve may be provided with a series of notches; or the bottom of the chamber (d may have an irregular surface for the passage of the oil when the valve is down on its lower position, as it is not Vone of the functions of this valve to close the passage below it. The lower piston, C, is provided with'the downward-prejecting pin a, with which the conical point of the valve b2' comes in contact as it is seated by the pressure of steam and forces the pistons to their upward position. The relief or waste connection D, inserted in the stein attaching the cup to the stud, communicates with the chamber d. This tubular connection is provided with the valve d', which is adapted to open outward from the pressure within and allow any water or steam that may enter the chamber d to escape into the atmosphere.

The working parts of the apparatus, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, are in the position they automatically assume when the engine is working steam.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Ilich the engine is working steam, the pis- TOO \ oil-ports a a, which allows the oil from the reservoir to flow in and fill the chamber d2 between the pistons. Now, when the throttlevalve of the engine is closed, shutting ont the steam pressure from the under side of the valve b, the same drops down or away from, its seat by the combined action of the force of gravity and the vacuum in the steam-chest, the

pistons O C dropping down'from the same cause, the upper piston closing the oil-ports a3 a", thus preventing any more oil from iiowing into the chamber d" for the time being. By this same movement the lower piston drops down and uncovers the ports b b, when the charge of oil heldin the chamber between the two pistons iiows down int-o the chamber d under the lower piston, and from thence through the passage in the stud to the parts to be lubricated. The under side of the piston C should be grooved, or the bottom of the chamber d roughened, so as to afford a passage for the oil on its way to the steam-chest of the engine. As the throttle-valve is again opened and steam admitted to the steam-chest the valve b2 is forced upward by the pressure of the same, thus bringing the conical end in contact with the pin on the under side of the piston C and forcing both pistons to their positions on the upstroke. This movement in its turn closes the lower oil-ports and opens the upper ones, thus admitting another charge of oil to the chamber between the pistons, the operation being intermittently repeated as often as the throttle-valve of the engine is opened and closed. The valve d is automatically opened outward by the pressure froln any steam or water that may get into the chamber d from' below, lwhile the same escapes therefrom and does not interfere with the downward travel of the pistons when the steam is shut out of the engine, and also guards against the possibility of a steam-and-water pressure forming and getting into the oilreservoir,as one of the purposes of this invention is to exclude steam and water from the saine, so as notte impair the lubricating qualities of the oil, and at the e escaso same time to guard against the action of' the frost. The action of the vacuum when the steam is shut off will tightly close the valve d', and prevent the escape of any oil in that direction when the apparatus is in the act of feeding.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a lubricating apparatus, the combina tion, with the stand B2, ofthe downward-pro jecting part B, the stem B, and the companion pistons C C', connected by the rod G2, and adapted to have a simultaneous movement in a vertical plane, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a lubricating apparatus, the combination, with the stand B2, provided with the oil-V ports a* c5, of the piston C', the downward-projecting part B, having the chamber or passage dfl, and provided with the oil-ports Zz b', the piston C, and the stem B, provided with the chamber d, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the stem B, provided with the chamber (1,01 the valve bf2, having the upper end cone-shaped, and the stud C", provided with the chamber a, substautially as described.

4. The combination, with the stem B, of the pistons C C, connected by the rod C2, the pin a, projecting downward from the piston C, and the valve b2, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The combination, with the stem B3, provided with the chamber d, .of the waste-connection I) and the valve d', adapted to open THOMAS R. FREEMAN. Vit nesscs: L. M. FREEMAN, T. H. BROWN. 

